The Wishing Game - Meg Shaffer

53%

05.01.26

I knew I had to write a review for a book I'd finished yesterday but it took me a good ten seconds to remember what that book was. Which isn't a great sign. I really liked Shaffer's The Lost Story but this, while competently written, was somehow both emotionally detached and overly sentimental. 

Mister Magic - Kiersten White

 57%

23.07.24

"What did I just read?", as the young people like to say. I enjoyed the writing style and the ideas but I had no idea what was going on most of the time. I think that was intentional, to some extent, but it did mean that nuances and any deep messages were lost, considering it was supposed to be a comment on Mormonism. Still, points awarded for offering something different.

My Friend the Octopus - Lindsay Galvin

 61%

07.04.23

I happened to be in Brighton and visited the very aquarium featured in this middle-grade novel, so thought I'd read it. The story was well researched and engaging, with, refreshingly, no attempt to soften the darker aspects. But the author tried to squeeze in rather too many unrelated strands, which made it feel a bit padded out. Much better than many adult novels, though!

Soul Eater - Michelle Paver

56%

28.06.22

More vivid worldbuilding, thorough research and well-rounded characters but marred by the muddled story and too much emphasis on fantasy over history.